I just made the patent deadline by the skin of my teeth! Mailed overnight, one day before the deadline.

The provisional was filed 7/15/08, which gives one year “Patent Pending” until you file the final application.

From my research, I decided not to file the final application by myself. Stats show that self submitted applications usually get kicked back.

I found Patent Attorney’s start at $4,000-$5,000 minimum than also charge by the hour. However, Patent Agents which are registered with the US Patent & Trademark Office are qualified to submit the application and charge usually half this cost. Paying an Attorney that kind of money for a idea where the outcome is uncertain was not an option for me.

Therefore, I posted an ad on Craigslist seeking patent help. I received a response from a registered Patent Agent who offered to help at a fraction of the cost of an attorney. Even more so, my deadline was only 2 weeks away at the time. I don’t know of any attorney who would adjust their entire workload schedule to meet my deadline!

Robin Lopez, Patent Agent has an engineering background and more importantly is an Inventor himself. To my surprise, he can also help with 3D drawings for prototype development. I’ve been very impressed with his knowledge, responsiveness and attention to detail.

I just finished my video pitch for TWEAKZ this weekend. Happy that I didn’t push the July 1st deadline until the last minute……I work great under pressure!

Tirelessly all week I edited pitch after pitch. Never realized how unforgiving video was until I started filming myself. I make so many weird expressions with my face, I will definitely be more cognizant about this going forward and somewhat paranoid.

Having the video finished is a big accomplishment for me, especially since it was made all by myself.

What a relief to be done with it!

It’s now in the hands of Casting to determine if Tweakz will be a good fit for the show. I’m proud to say that I did my best with the video.

5,000 Friends is my Facebook goal. That’s the MAX allowed or it would be higher.

Why do I keep adding friends?

I’ll admit it’s a lot to manage and sometimes overwhelming. My reason, Power in Numbers.

All it takes is that one simple message update, comment or reply from a friend to ignite a spark; create an idea or change your direction.

Today was a clear example of exactly this.

“Lisa TweakzReading up on how to get my product on HSN and QVC.” This was my post from the other day on Twitter and Facebook. Not much response, but today I received a comment that made all the difference.

This is right up my alley and I had No Idea about this show. The deadline for a video submission is July 1st. My prototype is being reworked and will have to submit by then.

Thanks to the power of Facebook and Twitter, I’ve never been so connected and in-tune to what’s happening! Call this response fate or fluke, I believe it’s Power in Numbers.

I feed off the brain power and creativity of my online community and continue to build my arsenal of knowledge.

More Contacts = Increased Possibilities. Please know, this is a 2-Way street. I strive to be a responsive friend and add value when possible. Although I can’t comment on every post, I promise to respond to all direct personal messages. I’m always available to offer guidance and encouragement.

The support and talent of the people I meet online is truly amazing. THANK YOU!

I’ve spent months contemplating design issues. Hopefully, I worked out all the kinks….. the working prototype will tell the truth. I ordered them today at QuickParts , competitive pricing and responsive service. Should have within the next week.

Lately it seems like for every step forward, I take 2 steps back! This can be frustrating. I try to remain positive and keep up my momentum.

The local library has been a great resource. Instead of buying endless books that I’ll never read again, I’ve been checking them out. It’s also very GREEN and I’m all for that!! Believe it or Not, the library has a great selection from recent best sellers to old favorites. Even more so, tons of audio books. I just picked up “Eat, Pray & Love” on CD and also Donny Deutsch book “The Big Idea”.

Constantly keeping good stuff in my head has been vital to keeping focus.

Even though I had a discouraging day, the little acts of progress make me so happy 🙂

Check out my new blog banner that I made myself via mac. I’m very pleased with it.

I love technology, but usually find myself in a constant struggle with it. I really want to move my wordpress blog to be self hosted. This way, I will have far more plug-in options and flexiblity. However, it will usually take me hours of time to figure out. Yes, there is the option of paying someone to handle this for me. I’m still debating the issue.

I’ll be posting again once I receive my first prototypes.

The online community that I’m connecting with via facebook and twitter have been amazing! I appreciate the continued support.

Watched James Ray, author of “Harmonic Wealth” speak last night at the Rosen Resort in Orlando. I agree with his message and he’s very intelligent. In my opinion, he came off a little sales pitchy.

The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort is beautiful! The gals and I had a drink afterwards at the lobby bar and discussed the show. We were pleasantly surprised to have the bar packed with good looking men in suits.

* Tip for single ladies – visit resort bars during conventions. – The odds are in our favor.

Sitting here at my desk and thinking about my goals, I feel really off track. I had imagined being a lot further along in my progress with Tweakz by May 2009. Several variables have really delayed the process…..I remain positive and just focus on the end result.

One big take away from the James Ray event, was his mention of Living In the Outcome. For any of us that follow the “Law of Attraction”, we know that “Thoughts Become Things”. The steps to creating your reality;

Think It – Feel It – Take Action

This makes complete sense to me. What’s hard for me to swallow, is the part of ACTION. I definitely take action to achieve my goals and move forward. However, I do not splurge and ACT like I already have these things. Mentally, I envision having attained my goals – yet Physically I do not.

What I mean by not “Acting Physically” is; spending money I don’t yet have, and living the financial lifestyle of my future today.

According to James Ray, this is what I should be doing. I’m a practical person, who doesn’t live beyond her means. I save when I can, buy generic and look for sales. The chance of falling into a financial hole holds me back from splurging.

Is this holding me back and delaying my progress? This fear of living in the future. Should I max out my credit cards and start spending money like a rockstar? Will this prove that I deserve the life that I want?

Over the last few years, I’ve really cleaned up my act. I don’t buy bottled water, use reusable bags and really try to limit my waste. Every little bit counts. Even though I’ve seen shows about the impact of our massive waste on the environment before……. this one really got to me.

It really pressed my buttons because it showed the innocent animals fallen victim to our waste.

We have a massive heap of trash floating in our oceans the size of Texas! A majority of this waste is plastics.

Pictures were shown of the affected marine animals.

A turtle full grown with a plastic ring stuck around his shell. It was deformed like an hour glass.

Birds stuck in plastic bags.

Even worse, animals simply trying to eat and mistaking the plastic bags for food.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

Originally published in 1912 in a book titled: “Your Forces and How to Use Them.” The author was Christian D. Larson, a prolific writer and lecturer who believed that people have tremendous latent powers, which could be harnessed for success with the proper attitude.